APS March Meeting 2011
Volume 56, Number 1
Monday–Friday, March 21–25, 2011;
Dallas, Texas
Abstract: T6.00002 : Challenging theoretical physics problems in the energy industry
3:06 PM–3:42 PM
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Author:
Critical reliance on technology is ubiquitous in the energy
industry, where
considerable resources are dedicated to fundamental research
aimed at
solving our most challenging problems. For example, technological
challenges
are found in all aspects of the oil and gas industry ranging from
exploration, development, and production of oil fields, to
transportation
and refining of the raw materials, and all the way to the
production of
specialty products such as polymers and lubricants. From a
scientific
perspective, these activities cover a broad range of physical
science
disciplines. As examples, during the exploration and development
of oil and
gas fields, sound and electromagnetic waves are used to image the
earth's
interior, and drilling involves an array of sophisticated tools and
detectors at the bore hole, both activities being possible thanks to
geophysicists, applied mathematicians, and rock physics specialists.
Similarly, the transformation of crude oil to refined products
requires a
fundamental understanding of physical chemistry, phase
transition, and
transport processes, while the design of products involves
polymer physics,
and special disciplines such as tribology.
The goal of this talk is to present examples of problems posed by
the energy
industry in view of encouraging physicists to contribute to
finding solution
to these problems, either through their academic research, or by
pursuing a
challenging career as industrial physicists. Many of those
problems can
benefit from the unique approach provided by a rigorous physics
training.
To cite this abstract, use the following reference: http://meetings.aps.org/link/BAPS.2011.MAR.T6.2